Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-02
PROHIBITION SETTLED.
Partisan Harmony and Integrity Best
Served by Dropping Out the Twelfth
Plank OF the Last Platform.
Senator Coks's Views on Prohibition in
Texas and the Future Action of the
Democratic Party Ia the state.

WACO, TEN, Aug. ., Isl.
To the Editor OF the Gazette.
l have your favor requesting for pub
LEGATION statement of my views as to
what seton should be t,keQ By the next
Democratic state convention touching
the question of prohibition, ami it would
have been answered earlier but for my
absence from nome.
That this question is 3 political one
and within the Jurisdiction and cOgniz-
sucG of Democratic convention 10 act
upon, cannot admit of g question or
doubt; nor can it be doubted that con-
ventiOn, which WodId follow the princi-
pies, antcCedeIts and traditions Of the
Democratic party, would align itself
sqrarely against prohibition. Il Is
equally unquestiOnable that 9 ma 1rIty Of
the Democratic part, in state cOnveu-
ton assembled, have the right 10 declare
the principles and determine the Doucy OF
the party on this as on sill other political
questions, and require the aCQuiesCence
$50 far as his political action is con-
cerncdl Of each individual Democrat,
whatever may DE his convictions or the
particular question. In no other Way Can
party organization be maintained.
An answer to your inquiry involves no
matter OF principle, but only Considera-
tons of policy and eXpedienCy, and nv
convictions are, that in the interest OF
party integrity and harmony the conven-
ton should quietly drop out the 18th
plank OF the Galveston platform, and not
advert to the subject of prohibition or
local option at all Il should content it
self with ratifyipg and endorsing in the
usual form the national Democratic plat
form, which will be promulgated before
our nominating state convention meets,
and which will doubtless, as has been its
custom heretofore, declare the true Dem
oCratiC doctrine on this subject as on all
others. =
a declaration by the nationalDemo-
cratic party on this subject, having, re fer
enCe to nothing local or personal in Gexas,
but being an unbiased expression of the
aggregate wisdom Of the party on great
question properly before it, ought 10 be-
and I have no doubt Will be accepted b7
the great BODY of Democrats Of Texas of
all shades Of opinion as an authoritative
deB1itlOn of Democratic creed, and'a sat
isfactory solution of our party troubles.
The prohibition question, while Of
course agitation of it Will to some extent
continue. has in my judgment been def
nitely and c0nClusiyely settled in Texas
by the result of the recent election. Pro
hibition is not an issue now, and it is 81
most the universal judgment Of the most
intelligent people that it viii not DE in
Texas during this century, if it ever is
again.
7 ron SEQ No vufsfCr, NJ o,-,,,5;o,,,.,
no good policy in causing serious rup-
ture in the Democratic party over what IS
now, and is likely to continue for an IN
definite number of gears, barren ab-
stractiOn, when in little time the cues
ton, If let alone, under the guidance Ct
tbs national Democratic platform and the
6Ood sense and conservatism Of our peo-
pie, will settle itself in the party without
friction or collision.
II cannot be doubted that the logical
results of the recent election will assert
themselves IN rendering the Democratic
party harmonious On this question, if not
INSTRUCTED by hostile and Irritating inter
ference. AL that is needed is, that theae
results be given time to develop a2d left
unhindered to work themselves out. The
moral force OF the ms iOrity against pro-
hibitiOn is too great to be successfully or
even seriously resisted, and its domination
Of Democratic sentiment in Texas, with
out breach or rupture in the party, I re
gard as absolutely assured, if its normal
operation is not thWarted or impeded by
premature sud eyssperatiug counter
agencies. If upon trial, this should prov
g mistaken view, the ti-prOhibitior
Democrats being masters Of the situation
can at any time act upon any appearance
Of real danger, and ought to and will
put the party IN an attitude to crush if
out
For another reason, which to my mind
is equally satisfactory, the course l have
indicated should be pursued. The
twelfth plank of the Democratic platform,
adopted at Galveston on the eve and in
full view and contemplation Of the great
contest over prohibition, then impending
ana Just closed, IN substance and effect
declared the question of prohibition OUT
side OF the domain Of party pohties While
fen gentlemen have sTguCd other
wise as 10 the meaning OF this
plank, l hazard nothing in sverring that
the universal construction and signihca-
tiCn attached 20 It by the voters of Texas,
and believe properly, was and is that
It intended 70, and did declare that pro
hibition was in no sense a5SgarGy
question, and that the vote upon it should
not be held q test of party fealty. TIE
adoption of this plank was an egregrious
blunder, but this does not alter the fact
that it YVES adopted and promulgated by
g Democratic convention. The submis-
sion of the proposed constitutional
amendment, on recommendation OF the
Governor and by act Of the Legislature,
in this of non political year, aAowedIy to
disassociate it from any question Of party
70 itjcs, TO the end that the canvass and
election should be strictly bipartisan
the protest of seyenty-fve Democratic
me nbers OF the Legislature, being
q majority of both Houses, to
Hon. Henry Exall, Chairman OF the Demo
/ cratic executive committee, against any
movement tending to draw the Demo
cratic party into the contest over the
! proposed amendment-the action of tAe
| anti-prohibitlon convention held at Dal-
las, which organized and carried on the
late canvass with so much yigOr and
| ability, composed Of both Democrats and
| Republicans, in maintaining strictly
non partisan CaIvass-the common and
universal consent aud agreement of 81
the people OF Texas OF all political
parties and ali political opinions, that
the prohibition question should be
treated as one on which the people should
vote SIS citizens, absolutely untrammeled
and unafected by any party
considerations whatever; these great
facts establish unerringly and
conclusively not only the correct
ness OF the meaning attached by the PEG